Chapter 13

A Stones Throw

The morning came like a gentle gale across a field of flowers, stirring them gently at first and then stirring them into full swaying. The slumbering group slowly stirred with the increasing sunlight seeping threw the forest canopy.

Kaydell and Klayn were gone within a few moments of waking to gather more food for the first meal of the day. The breakfast was a short one, everyone agreed to get an early start on the path before it got too late to cover more distance before night fell once again. There were a few apples and pears that were brought with them on the trail for later consumption.

They all washed up a bit in the brook, all drinking their fill before they began the days journey again.

Beldovin had brought up the fact that they had woken up here and not back at the Temple, but Kailivia told him that walking threw a field does not qualify as a trial of championship. Beldovin begged to differ but was silenced when Kailivia blatantly ignored him by talking to Willow.

Before the sun had even made its full appearance threw the tree's the six friends were walking, once again, down the small thin road. Inside the forest the path was not so strait, it made bends here and there to bypass some very large weather worn rocks or a tree the size of a tower. Not only were there bends, but the land itself became less flat, hills were more prominent now that they were further down the path out of the field.

"So you really are royalty then?" Kailivia asked Willow as they walked.

The tall red haired elf shrugged, "Yes, I guess we are. Our mother and father run a country, they could actually declare them Queen and King of Paramin, but my mother doesn't like the title and the idea's that come with that title. She prefers to be the head ambassador of the country. There are diplomats in each town and city within the country

who gather twice a year to discuss laws, taxes and such and my mother really has the final say, but prefers most decisions be made by the group. Our grandmother is also the Queen of our race, witch in turn makes our mother the Princess and us...well, I don't know what the makes us but we've got a pretty direct line to power in every direction."

Kailivia thought for a moment, "You know, you don't act like I thought you would. I grew up on the better side of life just as you, not as much direct lines to power, mind you, but well. And my Aunt was very upset with me when I wasn't behaving like 'proper young ladies do'," she said this with a mock voice. "I sort of ran around with a rougher crowd after my parents died, even though my Aunt took very good care of me, I felt very alone and angry after my parents disappeared, and that's how I gained some of my...not so desirable traits according to the nobility that I was around in the Keep."

"What kind of undesirable trait did you acquire, if you don't mind me asking?"

Kailivia shrugged and frowned, "I don't mind you asking, if we pass this test then we'll most likely be around each other for some time and you'll see for yourself what it is I can do." She giggled a little, a very pretty feminine sound coming from such a well muscled short woman, "I'm a rather decent thief, believe it or not. I sort of fell into a crowd that used to loot, and I picked up some interesting 'habits', shall I say, when running around with them. My Aunt was furious with me when she found out that I was running around with those sorts of people and tried to have my room guarded, but I had already picked up enough traits that I snuck right past them and was back by morning without anyone knowing."

Willow laughed, "You sound as mischief as Kaydell and I. We used to get into such terrible trouble with the nurses and our parents for disappearing. We'd go into the forest for the night and sleep in the trees, after I started my schooling at the Temple of Perth I stopped going out with Kaydell, but it didn't stop him. He would disappear for days on end, my parents were worried to death, they even sent a squad to look for him once. I insisted that he was fine and would be back the next morning, but would not take my word for it."

Willow grazed the palm of he hand across some bushes that bordered the path, "Then with Bel in the picture we were even into more trouble because we now had access to the Bronze Dragon Barracks. His parents and our parents have sealed all of us into our rooms for a week because of some of the little misadventures we'd go on. We were never in any real danger but we learned a lot by going out and doing things for ourselves."

The shorter woman nodded, "I agree, I would have been dead a long time ago if I hadn't gained some of my less desirable traits when I did. It's funny how things work out, isn't it?"

"Yes, I don't think our mother would have sent us here if she did not think we could handle the challenge, it's in our blood and we've shown it since childhood."

"As have I."

The two girls continued to talk for some hours about the differences and similarities of how they were raised, the adventures that they had while growing up and the voyage to West Fall.

Willow went on to explain that the ship they traveled on to arrive here was made in Paramin, designed and made by Torin elves. She went on to describe the decks, the living area's the crew mates and the swim she had with the little whales.

Kailivia gasped, "You SWAM with them! Oh, that must have been so wonderful! I can't swim and I did not know that those types of whales were not dangerous."

Willow was a little stunned, "You can't swim?"

"No, I was never thought how to, that was something that I never got around to doing, I can pick locks and get over some pretty tall walls but I can't swim."

"Well then, I guess that is something we'll have to work on then, isn't it? I mean, if you're going to be on a ship, then it's a good idea to learn how to swim."

Kailivia smiled at this very tall red head whom she was gaining an extreme liking for, "You'd do that? You'd teach me how to swim?"

"Well of course! It's fun and once you get the hang of it, you'll love it too. We can go diving for shells and pearls and swim with the little whales too."

"I'm looking forward to it already."

The morning went rapidly and the extra apples and pears were gone just a little before the sun was at it highest point. Some light conversation was still being cared out when Kaydell and Klayn motioned for them to slow.

"What's the trouble?" Beldovin asked his friends.

"There's a presence before us, there's a change in the feeling of the trees. Stay here and we will see what it is, go into the cover of the trees until we come back and stay quiet." Klayn told them.

Four exited the path a few yards in, finding a nice little shaded spot by an oddly shaped semi circle of old gray stones. They all sat down, knowing that the little break was nice.

"Can I ask you something?" Kailivia whispered to Willow.

"Of course."

"You and Kaydell are twins, right?"

"Yes."

"You said earlier that you knew that he was safe when he had disappeared for few days. Can you really...feel each others emotions and pains?"

At this Beldovin chimed in, "Indeed they can, it is quiet uncanny, to be honest. When they were 75, Kaydell had broken his arm on his way home from the neighboring farming town across the river, Willow here had suddenly doubled over and was clutching at her arm. Her and I were at the barracks at the time, and as I stood watching her, having someone fetch a healer. I could tell she was in great pain, but we hadn't even started to spar yet, so I knew it was nothing I did. Then, after she caught her breath she says, 'It's not me, it's Kaydell, he's broken his arm.' And wouldn't you know it, before nightfall Kaydell had returned home with his arm splinted. The healer told us that is was broken, when the Lord and Lady Ranessin asked why their daughter was reacting so, he said that they have a strong bond threw the gods and that it was very special."

Kailivia nodded, very interested in what she was hearing.

"You make it sound like we're psychically bonded or something," Willow accused him.

F'vell must have figured that it was his turn to add his two copper pieces, "I don't mean to sound like I have been studying you, but I have to agree with Beldovin, you two are remarkably bonded. You two can hold entire conversations without ever saying a word, I've even watched as you two do the same actions at the same time, you really are bonded by some force beyond the obviousness of sharing a womb."

Willow crossed her arms stubbornly, "I think you are all exaggerating, it's not like I know exactly where he's located or what he's thinking all the time it's just that we sort of have the others feelings, pains or idea's during certain events or a swell of emotion, that's all."

"That's all? You make it sound like everyone can do it, " Beldovin teased her.

"If I may be so bold as to interrupt again, Beldovin, you seem to have a rather unique bond with the twins as well." F'vell mentioned.

Beldovin shrugged, "I wouldn't call it a bond, there is love there, indeed, they are like my own flesh and blood, it's just that I know them, I know their habits and their actions. If an obstacle is placed before them, I have a rather good concept of how they will work threw it. We have also been together long enough that we can sort of feed off of each others ideas and feelings, I think that's what makes us such a good team."

"You are very lucky to have that in your life," Kailivia told Willow and Beldovin.

"We know," they said in unison, then smiled at each other.

They sat in silence for some time, listening to the noises of the trees around them. The trees seemed to sway and with that swaying there was a sort of song passing between the mighty wooden towers. The birds weren't as numerous here as the beginning of their journey but their little voices could be heard in the distance tree tops.

Two hours had passed before the two woodsman returned, scaring the rest of the party with their silent arrival.

"What did you discover?" F'vel questioned them.

"This is indeed strange," Kaydell told them as he sat down to help form a circle, "About a mile up the road there is a...well, it appears to be some sort of entrance into the ground. It's sort of built into a hill, very strange looking. The path leads directly to this door, there was no other path surrounding that hill, it looks as if this path was meant to go directly to that door."

"Well, that doesn't sound so terribly bad," Beldovin said with a cheer in his voice.

"Well, no, it doesn't," Klayn replied, "but we didn't get a chance to tell you that this door is being guarded by four very foul looking goblins. They are armored and they do have weapons."

"Well, now, that part sounds bad," Beldovin frowned.

"Hmmmm," Kailivia mused with her eyebrows furrowed and her chin on her hand, "what would be the best course of action. I can tell you now that they're not going to be very smart, I've had my fair share of run ins with goblins, so this may not be as hard as we think it'll be."

"Well, Kay and I have already worked out a semblance of a plan," Klayn smiled slyly at the dark haired woman.

"Why am I not surprised?"

By the end of the hour they were marching towards the first of many battles that they would have together.

Klayn and Kaydell circled around behind the goblins, waiting for the girls, who flanked the door to make their move.

"I thought I'd be more frightened than this," Kaydell whispered to Klayn.

He nodded, "I'm more excited than frightened."

The two rangers had hidden themselves on top of the mound that was the door was on, laying close to the ground, using the coverings of smaller plants as camouflage. They could easily make out the tops of the four goblins heads.

Willow had reached her position, she eyed up the ugly, grayish-green skinned goblins carefully, figuring witch one to hit first. She noticed that they did have some light armor on them, she found it peculiar that it wasn't the type of armor this type of goblin wore. At her feet were the arm full of fist sized stones she brought with her from their resting sight. If she hit true, these rocks would either kill or knock out one of these goblins. If not, at least she could run.

Opposite of Willow, hidden behind the trunks of a few young trees was Kailivia. She watched the movements of the goblins carefully, as soon as Willow made her move she would have to act quickly. She knew the one she needed to aim for, hoping that he would be in range for her to hit, she didn't want to ruin the other goblins armor due to the fact that they would have to salvage what was on the creatures.

"Remember to aim for the head, Beldovin, we do not want to damage the armor," F'vell whispered to Beldovin.

Beldovin frowned irritably, "Yes, yes, I know, the head."

The dark winged elf seemed to be swallowed up by the dark shadows of the trees, in his hand he clutched a piece of wood the size of some ones arm.

"Be careful my friend," F'vell told him solemnly.

Beldovin sighed, focused his gaze on the goblins, "And you, friend."

In the blink of an eye, Willow launched the first part of the attack, her stone striking the closest goblin so hard that it brought him to his hands and knees.

The other three goblins immediately became alert, drawing their weapons and charged in the direction of where Willow was now visible. She picked up another one of her stones and fired another attack with a stone. She managed to hit another one, but he dodged in enough time that it only hit his shoulder.

Just as the first goblin was recovering from the staggering blow to the head, Kailivia was past the tree's, her hands outstretched, a dark, strained look on her face as little white shards erupted from her finger tips, impaling the fallen goblin. It fell to the ground, twitching in the legs, dead.

When the other goblins had realized that there was another attacker two went rushing after Kailivia as the other went charging into the wood after Willow.

Like a dark ominous shadow, F'vell had swooped in on the two goblins advancing on the dark haired human. They paused for just a moment, startled that such a large, black creature had suddenly appeared. That pause gave F'vell the chance to strike a terrible blow to one of them, the thing gave a strangled cry of pain, but advanced on F'vell the next moment.

Just in time, Beldovin came up behind the creature. Beldovin, with a glowing sword in his hands, with one soundless swing, the goblins head was rolling on the green carpeting of the wood.

Just as Kailivia was about to regrettably fire more shards at her approaching goblin while trying to doge it's close swings when the blur of Klayn knocked the growling goblin to the ground, punching it with a terrible blow to it ugly face.

The goblin had somehow managed to squirm its way from underneath the woodsman, jumping to it feet and then advancing on him as a counter attack.

With the club in hand, F'vell charged at the goblin, managing to get in one good hit to the ribs before it slashed at him, putting a small slash on F'vell's forearm.

Beldovin, with the glowing sword still in hand went to help his friend, knowing that a make shift club would not hold off the attackers blows for long.

The creature swore at him in it's goblin tongue, growling terribly as the two exchanged swings. Beldovin, practicing for many years in the Bronze Dragon barracks, had the upper hand and managed to kill the creature with only a few swings, with minimal damage to the armor.

Willow, on the opposite side of the path was having combat of her own, she called upon her god to give her the power to conjure up her lords weapon of defense.

She drew the creature further into the wood, hoping that if the others were having problems she wouldn't have to worry about the other goblins finding them so quickly.

The goblin was a little larger than the others and with this increased size came increased strength. He wasn't very skilled with his weapon, Willow blocked his attacks easily. She was told not to damage the armor, or if she had to attack aim for the legs. She had indeed managed to damage one leg to where he was no longer advance. She couldn't get close enough to him to take a swing at his head, if she could only find a way to distract him long enough for her to get a decent swing in.

Just like the thought, the goblin reeled forward dropping to his knees, the sword he held dropping to the ground. Just behind the goblin, where she was hiding, stood her brother with another rock in his hand ready for the next blow. Not wanting to have another rock thrown in her direction, she rushed at the goblin, raised her sword and ran her holy weapon into the creatures body by the neck.

"Are you alright?" Kaydell asked his sister.

She nodded as she walked to the dead body, a little out of breath from the battle, "Yeah, I'm fine, only a little winded, lets see if we can salvage some of this stuff."

The body was fairly easy to strip down, it's armor was hardly soiled, nothing a little leaves wouldn't scrape off. To the twins surprise, around his belt in a pouch the goblin carried a few gold and silver coins. They took his weapons, a short sword, two knives and a broad sword, then went to herd up the others, in one piece hopefully.

Meanwhile, the other four were disrobing the other three goblins. They managed to scrounge up two other peoples worth of armor and a small shield, more knives, swords, even some more money and some dried rations and two full water skins.

"Willow!" Kailivia shouted excitedly, "That was one dead on throw you did with that rock!"

Willow shrugged, "Thanks."

"That is was throwing snowballs at the guards did for her," Beldovin laughed.

Everyone sort of giggled, "Obviously," Kailivia retorted.

"Those shards you cast were rather spectacular, Kailivia," Klayn complemented her.

"Oh that?" She waved him off with a shrug and a smile, "That was one of the first spells I ever inherited, it comes in handy in some tight situations, but thank you."

"Is anyone hurt?" Kaydell asked.

"Other than being a little unnerved?" Klayn asked.

"I received a small cut," F'vell said as he lifted his forearm to show a nice long bleeding cut.

"Here, let me take a look," Beldovin said as he approached the wounded elf, taking his arm in his hands.

"It will be fine," F'vell told him modestly.

"It will in just a moment," just like that Beldovin reached inside of his brown tunic and touched his holy medallion and uttered a prayer in the words of Palidine. In only a few short seconds the wound had completely disappeared, leaving only the blood behind.

"Thank you, cleric, but that was not necessary," F'vell told him as he looked his arm over.

"F'vell, the littlest of cuts will often lead to some big infections," Kaydell told him.

"He's right, F'vell. It is better to heal it now than later when it is infected, we do not have any healing herbs to help with the infection or we would have done it another way."

"I see your perspective, forgive my misunderstanding," F'vell bowed slightly to Beldovin.

"No need to apologize my friend, I only want to see you healthy and safe," Beldovin told him with a clap to the arm.

After they had thrown everything into a pile they assessed their new belongings thoughtfully; who gets what?

In the end they managed to dress Klayn with a leather shirt and chaps with a broad sword strapped to his back, Beldovin did not wish to wear armor but took two knives for his boots. Kailivia also took knives, four of them, light enough to throw but big enough to do damage and one of the leather shirts, F'vell said he would take the short sword, a knife and one of the belt pouches for his spell components instead of keeping them tucked in his boot. Kaydell took the only long sword and shield, even though he didn't much like the shield, he still took it. Willow also refused armor, not because she didn't want to wear it, but because it didn't fit properly, it was uncomfortably small and hard to move in, something she needed to do if she had to cast a spell, instead, she opted to carry the money they found and a knife, assuring them that her holy weapon would do in battle. F'vell and Klayn carried the water skins and Beldovin and Kaydell carried the dry rations in their newly acquired belt pouches.

"So the question that has yet to be asked," Klayn spoke up, "is, do we enter the door that these guards were watching over?"

"I would say yes, it seems to be the only logical place that we can go now," Kailivia shrugged.

Kaydell nodded, "The path does lead right to it."

The twin agreed, "It really is the only logical thing we can do next."

"Threw the door it is then," F'vell said with a finality in his voice.